I sometimes hear people tell me their dog is being naughty.
But how do we define ‘naughty’? If your dog isn’t doing what you want, can you call it naughty behaviour?
If your dog is being destructive when left alone that’s not naughty!
It is far more likely that your dog is either worried, frightened, bored or so full of energy they cannot control themselves.
Our dogs need to have enrichment in their lives, just like we humans do.
Don’t you love to go out for a walk somewhere different?
Eat a different meal?
Have a treat now and then?
Spend time with friends?
Your dog needs to do the same. A bored dog can become a destructive dog. A frightened dog can become a snappy dog. A hungry dog can become growly around food.
Think about what you do with your dog on a weekly basis.
Do you take your dog on the same walks?
Do you leave them at home for long spells while you are at work?
Do you ever allow them time off-lead to run free?
All these things will impact on your dog’s behaviour and a few simple changes can make all the difference to your dog’s level of contentment.
- Take time to walk somewhere new with your dog. Ask others for ideas about where they go with their dogs.
- If you do work long hours could you ask a neighbour to spend time with your dog while you are out? Could you hire a dog walker once or twice a week?
- If you are worried your dog won’t come back if you let them off lead, contact a reward-based dog trainer and book a ‘Recall Training’ session with them. You can also hire an enclosed field to allow your dog to run off lead and…. practice your recall training!
- Give your dog enrichment toys to play with when you are at home. If they play safely with them you could then leave the toys for your dog to enjoy when you go out to work.
- Think about joining group dog training classes or attending workshops with your dog. Research local options – Scent Work, Agility, Swimming, Heel Work to Music etc.
Take time to plan new activities for you and your dog to enjoy. Our dogs are never with us long enough – they live such short lives so we should do our best to enjoy every moment!
